If any good has come out of the crisis we are in today, it is the reminder of the old adage that ‘health is wealth’.
Anyhow, health education is the need of the hour; so we are compelled to learn what we can from modern science, ancient traditions and empirical data. Some of us may already know that the leading cause of death in India, is the silent killer called cardiovascular disease (CVD), which accounts for more than 28% of the total deaths in the country. This means 1 in 4 deaths are due to CVD.
CVD, COVID… It can really feel like there is no end to this misery right? Um not yet, read on...
So that this blogpost triggers you positively and not negatively, we are going to talk about positive actions and hope. So let’s look at the solutions, the research on health, and how we at Sentient Steps can contribute positively to your journey of staying healthy and fit.
A Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) can refer to a diet, a meal or even a cake. It is basically a diet that is gaining widespread recognition in the scientific community and among conscious consumers. A WFPB diet plan includes a lot of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, moderate intake of nuts, seeds, avocados, soy (e.g., tofu) and wheat products, little or no added fats/oils (e.g., coconut, and palm fat/oil, olive oil), and most importantly the exclusion of all animal products. Animal-based products have been linked to Cancers, CVDs, Type-2 Diabetes, High BP, and also other issues such as pollution, deforestation, climate change etc. On the contrary a WFPB diet has been found to be better for cardiovascular health, prevention of diseases, maintaining overall health, and is also better for the planet.
Refined Carbohydrates or carbs are generally avoided in a WFPB diet plant. Reason being it is better for health management and staying optimally fit. Refined carbs include refined sugars and grains (eg. white rice, refined flour (maida) and white sugar). In addition, even highly processed foods are avoided. To put it bluntly, most of the junk food falls under refined carbs and processed food. “Diets high in refined carbs and sugar have also been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, hyperactivity, mood disorders, and even suicide in teenagers.”
At Sentient Steps, we have kept an open mind about what is better for our collective health and well-being. If you are keen, we invite you to try our WFPB products:
Some of us are making the most of the resources and access we have to quality information, and are trying to switch things over and adopt healthier lifestyles. This is the 'good news' in 'bad times'. The 'silver lining' and the 'light at the end of the tunnel'.
Do you agree? Remember to share your experiences in the comments. We would love to hear from you.
Author: Shrikanth Iyer, a lecturer at the Department of Multimedia and Mass Communication, Guru Nanak College, Mumbai. He is a budding clinical psychologist, a vegan, animal lover, who has a liking for research and non-fiction writing.